(not original copy)

Thank you very much for your long letter where you gave an exhaustive account of the situation in Kristiansand. It’s not particularly pleasant when things go that way; however, in order to avoid the whole thing being dragged into the mud, action must be taken. It’s understandable that at R.’s place it will be impossible to guide things in a spiritual direction, since the old guard there will naturally control things. For that reason, I quite agree that you should be looking into getting your own meeting hall. Then if anyone from R.’s place wants to come, they can come, but not as those who control things. You must show a resolute will and a firm hand here.

The mind of the Spirit is life and peace. When carnal people are disrupting this life and peace, steps must be taken to keep them quiet in the meetings. This can be done most readily in a meeting hall that is not theirs. This will be the second time that people have had to stop going to meetings at X’s place for the sake of the truth. That reflects poorly on the person concerned. When you get a new meeting hall, it’s essential that you firmly set the agenda that God wants to bring forth right from the very beginning. These oppressive meetings at X’s place have crippled things. People will experience a very different peace and blessing once you yourselves have the freedom to lead. And it’s not as if you all are moving the meetings out of town or preventing those at X’s place from going.

Yesterday, Berg, Ellefsen, and I were in Moss. Barratt, Ludvig Eriksen, Ilebæk, Gerhard (the watchmaker), a missionary from Africa, Axel Wold, Bakke, and several others were there. The Lodge hall was full. The meeting started at 5 p.m. The friends from Kristiania had arrived at 4 p.m. Barratt spoke about prayer—about not giving a sermon to God or to the assembly. One man’s prayer was interrupted when two others spoke in tongues. They interpreted that the man needed to pray in the Spirit. That hit the bullseye.

The informal conversation meetings here in Horten have done such a work that the friends have gained a far more intimate relationship with each other. R. has been spreading the word about these conversations wherever he goes, so people are now listening attentively. Br. F. was overjoyed when we spoke together in Moss. E., an old gunnery officer (a Methodist), expressed to B. how much he would like to have a conversation, but he was a bit frightened at the idea. It’s remarkable how God can put us in the spotlight even when we try to stay in the shadows.

Father doesn’t need to have a bad conscience about what someone else decides to do. Since H. and J. absolutely refuse to be entreated, you cannot just let them disrupt all the meetings. It’s important in such cases to proceed in small steps and not rush into things. “Whoever believes will not act hastily.” Things and situations will fall into place on their own, so a person can proceed in complete rest. But when the time is ripe, action is essential.

Here in Horten there has been no mention of “speaking in tongues” in any of the local newspapers since the article I wrote in Hortens Avis. Yesterday, at the Temperance banquet, one of the local speakers (a Methodist) stood up and gave a zealous speech against drinking and drunkenness. He spoke with fervor and eloquence, saying that when someone in their religious fanaticism does something wrong, then all the papers scream in unison that the one who is to blame should be put in an insane asylum. However, when scores of crazy drunks are beating and stabbing each other to death, it gets a mere passing mention in the fine print.

We can see from this how important it is to write something to the newspapers now and then. But we must write clearly and resolutely, because the world has no understanding about such things. Gjengangeren here in Horten was outraged and with bold headlines wrote: “The Insanity of Tongues,” etc.; but since my article, it hasn’t mentioned the word “tongues” again. Hortens Avis did respond immediately after my article, saying that they would welcome anything of general interest in their paper. It was by faith that Israel crushed its enemies and commanded respect. In the same way, we must conquer our enemies by faith and command their respect. We must never be afraid of writing strong words, for it is strength that crushes them and dismays those who have been put to flight. We should never attempt to persuade the world with polite and sugar-coated niceties, but rather we are to overpower them so they don’t even get time to breathe. Remember that, and you will rejoice over the fall and flight of your enemies.

Today (January 3), I understand, the friends from Moss are coming to Horten.

At the meeting in Moss, Gerhard got up and announced that since there were quite a few preachers present from the Free Mission, Inner Mission, etc, they should sit at the front. The entire time that I stayed, we heard nothing but their preaching. I find this kind of thing disgusting; it’s the same as letting yourself be called “teacher.” And there isn’t any spiritual freedom either when such people are given priority to speak, whether it is the Spirit that is moving them or not. When will we have time to teach faith? If someone is truly significant or has been given a task in Christ, then let them, in Spirit and truth, and by their powerful words, take their rightful place. But not because they earn their living by preaching.

Hearty greetings with 2 Tim. 1:7. Br. Berg is here and sends his greetings. Greetings to everyone at home and to the friends.

Your brother,